The Differences Between the Novel and the Film“Pride and Prejudice”.doc

The Differences Between the Novel and the Film“Pride and Prejudice”1. Introduction12. The differences between the novel and the film in terms of particular episodes32.1 The first appearance of Elizabeth and Darcy32.2 The whole process of how Miss Bingley obstructs Darcys pursuit of Elizabeth62.3 Mr. Collins proposal to Elizabeth102.4 Darcys confession of love to Elizabeth153. Conclusion211. IntroductionAusten completed the original manuscript of “Pride and Prejudice between 1796 and 1797. A publisher rejected the manuscript, and it was not until 1809 that would bring it to its final form. “Pride and Prejudice” was published in January 1813, and it achieved a popularity that has endured to this day. The novels protagonist, the second daughter of Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth is the most intelligent and sensible of the five Bennet sisters. She is well read and quick-witted, with a tongue that occasionally proves too sharp for her own good. Her realization of Darcys essential goodness eventually triumphs over her initial prejudice against him. Fitzwilliam Darcy, a wealthy gentleman, the master of Pemberley, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Though Darcy is intelligent and honest, his excess of pride causes him to look down on his social inferiors. Over the course of the novel, he tempers his class-consciousness and learns to admire and love Elizabeth for her strong character. The readers can easily understand the love story of Elizabeth and Darcys in detail through the description of what he thought in the book.The film gave rise to greater attention to “Pride and Prejudice” in England, even in the world. The film creates full images of all the characters, especially Elizabeth and Darcys in our eyes. We can find Elizabeth and Darcy who have been concretized through the film and understand them through their conversations, appearances and so on in the film.There are some differences between the novel and the film “Pride and Prejudice”. The novel brings us all the characters in imagination; and the film brings us in vision. In the novel, we just can imagine the episodes through the description; but in the film, we can watch the scenes clearly and feel them. “Film is unlimited not only in its choice of subject but also in its approach to that material. A films mood and treatment can range from the lyric to the epic.” (Joseph M. Boggs, Dennis W. Petrie, 2004:3) The novel gives us an epic; and the film gives us a lyric. The epic is the description of a long story, such as it mentions many places, events, problems which related to the Bennet family in the novel. As for the lyric, it centers on the romance and relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy in the film. The novel does not emphasize some episodes and the film does, such as the first appearance of Elizabeth and Darcy, and Darcys confession of love to Elizabeth; the novel mentions some episode and the film does not, such as the whole process of how Miss Bingley questions Darcy minutely; the film emphasizes some episode and the novel neglects it, such as Mr Collins proposal to Elizabeth.2. The differences between the novel and the film in terms of particular episodes2.1 The first appearance of Elizabeth and DarcyThe Bennets lived in the small Hertfordshire village of Longbourn, and public dances were regularly held in the nearest town, Meryton. The girls were greatly looking forward to this particular dance, because they had heard that Mr. Bingley would be attending, with a group of friends from London.In the novel, on the night of the dance, all eyes were on Mr. Bingley as he entered the room. He had brought his two sisters, with the husband of the elder, Mr. Hurst, and another young man, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley was indeed good-looking and gentleman-like, and his sisters were fine, fashionable women. However, everybody was soon talking about Mr. Darcy, a tall, handsome man, who, it was said, had an income of ten thousand pounds a year. In the film, on the night of the dance, Mr. Bingley only brought two people to the dance. One is his younger sister; the other is his friend Darcy. When they entered the room, the ball turned into quiet soon. Everyone in the room gazed at them. Mr. Bingley was always permeated with smile on his face. As for Darcy and Miss Bingley, they were very cool and proud. It seemed that they were superior to everybody so that they disdained to see other people in the room. Their countenances were rigid, let alone friendly.In the novel, the ladies in the room gazed at Darcy in admiration for about half the evening, until they became aware of his constant frown and his unwillingness to talk or dance. Then there was general agreement that he was proud and disagreeable, and considered himself superior to country people. Elizabeth Bennet had been forced, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit out for two dances, and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough for her to hear, against her will, a conversation between him and Mr Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes to urge his friend to join it. Come, Darcy, said Bingley, I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner! You had much better dance.I certainly shall not, replied Darcy. Both your sisters already have partners, and there is not another woman in the room with whom I would care to dance.I would not like to be so difficult to please as you are, cried Bingley. Indeed, I have never met with so many pleasant girls in my life.You are dancing with the only good-looking one, said Mr Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.Oh yes! Shes the most beautiful creature that I ever saw! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very attractive, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you. Which do you mean? Darcy asked, and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till, catching her eye, he looked away, and coldly said: she is tolerable; but not attractive enough to tempt me. (Jane Austen, page 6)In the film, there is a different scene. As there were not as many gentlemen as ladies, Elizabeth Bennet did not have a partner for one of the dances, and she invited Darcy to dance with her. “Do you dance, Mr. Darcy?” “Not if I can help it.” Darcy refused her directly. Then Elizabeth walked away. Seeing this, Miss Bingley came to Darcy with a cool smile and said, “We are a long way from Grosvenor square, are we not, Mr. Darcy?” He made no answer. A moment later, Mr. Bingley came to speak with his friend. Elizabeth could not avoid hearing their conversation.Why dont you dance? Mr. Bingley asked. Certainly not, replied Darcy. There isnt a woman in the room I would even consider dancing with. You are dancing with the only attractive girl here.Oh yes! Shes the most beautiful creature Ive ever beheld! But her sister Elizabeth is also very pretty.No, he said coldly, Perfectly tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.From both the first appearances of Elizabeth and Darcy in the novel and the film, we know the conversation did not endear Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth. Through the differences between the novel and the film, we see that the film adds a character to this scene Miss Bingley. The novel hasnt emphasized her presence and participation. She is not as important in the film as in the book.Darcys sense of social superiority, artfully exposed in this passing comment later proves his chief difficulty in admitting his love for Elizabeth. Because of Darcys bad behavior and refusal to dance with anyone not rich and well bred, on the other hand, immediately, betrays the pride and sense of social superiority so that to make Elizabeth take an immediate and understandable disliking to him and will most hinder him from finding his way to Elizabeth. His evaluation of her creates a mutual dislike. Elizabeth thinks that Darcy is an arrogant guy through his first appearance. Because of the first impression, both Elizabeth and Darcy make serious mistakes regarding each other. 2.2 The whole process of how Miss Bingley obstructs Darcys pursuit of Elizabeth In the novel, the readers can find the whole process of how Miss Bingley questions Darcy minutely, which the film hasnt mentioned. Of course, the readers can easily know that Miss Bingley loves Darcy from the description of the novel. At the party, her dialogue with Darcy is really interesting:“I can guess the subject of your reverie.”“I should imagine not.”“You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this mannerin such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!”“Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity,“Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”“Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” repeated Miss Bingley. “I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favorite? And pray when am I to wish you joy?”“That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A ladys imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.”“Nay, if you are so serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law, indeed, and of course she will be always at Pemberley with you.” (Jane Austen, page 32)He listened to her with perfect indifference.From the above conversation we can see that Miss Bingley was very jealous of Elizabeth. She looked down upon Elizabeths middle-class status and lack of social connections. The film doesnt mention this conversation, for the time of the film is limited and this scene is unnecessary. We can see that Miss Bingley plays just a secondary role in the story. In order to stress the obstacles between Elizabeth and Darcy, the author designs such a character. This episode can be neglected in the film, it wont impede the development of the plot.In the novel, one evening, Elizabeth joins their party in the drawing room. She observes Miss Bingley piling compliments upon Darcy as he writes to his sister. The conversation turns to Bingleys style of letter writing and then to Bingleys impetuous behavior, which entangles Elizabeth and Darcy in an argument over the virtues of accepting the advice of friends. Afterward, Miss Bingley plays “a lively Scotch air” on the pianoforte, and Elizabeth again refuses to dance with Darcy. Her refusal only increases his admiration, and he considers that “were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger.” Miss Bingley, observing his attraction, becomes jealous and spends the following day making fun of Elizabeths family, instigating Darcy to imagine them connected to his proud and respectable status. The film doesnt mention the above episodes, either, but it doesnt matter at all. In the film, we also can easily guess that Miss Bingley loves Darcy from her movement when she stays with Darcy. The following episode in the film is wonderful which the novel doesnt emphasize. It is their third appearance in the film. The following night, Miss Bingley is in similar fashion, trying to attract Darcys attention: first by reading, then by criticizing the foolishness of balls, and finally by walking about the room. Her figure is elegant, and she walks well; -but Darcy, at whom it is all aimed, is still inflexibly concentrated. In the desperation of her feelings, she resolves on one effort more; and turns to Elizabeth. Only when she asks Elizabeth to walk with her, however, does Darcy look up, and then the two women discuss the possibility of finding something to ridicule in his character. He states that his only fault is resentment“my good opinion once lost is lost forever.” Elizabeth replies that it is hard to laugh at a “propensity to hate every body,” and Miss Bingley, observing Elizabeths monopolization of Darcys attention once again, insists on music. This episode has also been described in the book, but it is only a usual one, nothing special. The film does emphasize it. Even if the time of the film is limited, it spends about five minutes on this episode in revealing the inner world of Miss Bingley and Darcy. In the book, one morning, Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner visit Pemberley to call on Ms. Darcy. Bingleys sisters are both present; when Darcy enters the room, Miss Bingley makes a spiteful comment to Elizabeth, nothing that the departure of the militia from Meryton “must be a great loss to your family.” After the guests depart, Miss Bingley attempts to criticize Elizabeth to Darcy, and makes a light remark about how he once thought Elizabeth “rather pretty.” Darcy replies that he now considers Elizabeth “one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.” Miss Bingley is overeager and her aggressive pursuit of Darcy highlights her obnoxiousness. Indeed, Miss Bingley reappears with more spite than before. The mean-spiritedness is behind her derisive insinuation about the Bennet girls obsession with the soldiers.The above episode in the film is different from the one in the book. When Elizabeth and Gardiners visited Pemberley to call on Ms. Darcy, there were just Darcy and his sister in the room. Ms. Darcy was very friendly when she saw Elizabeth. She said to Elizabeth: “My brother has told me so much about you. I feel as if we were friends already.” “Well, thank you.” Elizabeth replied. From the conversation between Ms. Darcy and Elizabeth we can see that Darcy has determined to pursue Elizabeth regardless of other factors, just as social status, let alone Miss Bingleys interference. 2.3 Mr. Collins proposal to Elizabeth In the film, the audiences can see the whole process of how Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, which the novel hasnt mentioned. From this episode we find that Mr. Collins is really amusing and idiotic. In the story, Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and neither education nor society had improved him much. He was too conscious of his own importance, and, at the same time, too humbly afraid of giving offence, especially to those above him in rank. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, when the living at Hunsford became vacant. Having now a good house and a large enough